Arriva Derci

Dear friends, family,neighbors,readers, and some supporters of McCain/Palin: This is the last blog I'll be writing for awhile--or never. We are going away for a week, and when I get back, I'll find something else to do. Maybe paint a chicken. I've written 275 blogs. Every one since last May are already published in Pater Noster in Condoland Vol. III. All there is to write about anyway is what we had for dinner and the condition of my body. There's not much interest in that. If I decide to write something of meaning, I'll email you and let you know there's a blog waiting for you. Bye.

"Who can be wise, amazed, temperate, and furious, Loyal and neutral in a moment?" (Macbeth)

Today I went over to AAA in order to get some trip tix from Herndon to Westfield, NJ; and one from Wesfield to Lorton, VA where we will get the auto train back to Sanford, Fl and then drive on home. Then I went into Office Depot to buy some pens and some liquid "white out." When I got home from this exciting outing, I planned to do some packing. Well, that didn't work out because I was exhausted, and short of breath. My first thought was to pack and my second thought was to take a nap. I opted for the second thought and napped until about 5:30 when Rhoda got home from her luncheon date with a friend and woke me. Well, I can always make time tomorrow to pack.

I've been getting a gaggle of emails from friends who presented copies of articles that examined the plight of the country should Sarah Palin became vice president. I'll paste here in this blog a few of the paragraphs that I read which indicated some of her beliefs-- one of which is that she claims the world began 6000 years ago and that creationism ought to be taught in the public schools; it was obvious that when Barack Obama selected Joe Biden to be Vice President, he placed the interests of the United States and our allies first. Unfortunately, when John McCain selected Sarah Palin to be Vice President, he placed the interests of the Christian Right and their allies first.

Another writer says that "white privilege" is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action. The point of all this apparently is that John McCain pandered to the cause of the Christian Right in order to garner the votes that will help him to win this election.

One shocking bit of information claims that white privilege is when you can call yourself a "fuckin' redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their fuckin' ass," and talk about how you like to "shoot shit" for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug. I don't know where the author of this statement got his information, but if true, I think uncomfortably about this guy strutting around the White House. I don't believe that Sarah Palin's family is an example of the Christian Right's view of "family values." I suppose I'm prone right now to get on that lady's case. She seems like a nice enough lady who happens to be Governor of a state whose population is somewhat less than the lower half of Manhattan.

Tomorrow, I'll have another aquatherapy session at the Y in Boynton Beach. I discussed my situation with Rhoda and told her that I felt pretty good. That my health is satisfactory except for my lack of mobility which has gotten worse in the last few months. She has convinced me to try using a cane to see if it would help my balance. When I walk a few paces I feel like a circus performer on a high wire. So, I agreed to try the cane; but I will never use a walker--and that's for certain. Don't ask me why.

I believe I'm about ready to publish Vol.III of "Pater Noster in Condoland". This book may not get me a basketful of royalties, but at least it will provide a permanent resting place for these blogs.

"All the water in the ocean can't turn the swan's black legs to white." (Titus Andronicus)

I've been expecting to see some political ads on TV by the two candidates, but strangely, thus far, I haven't seen even one. Perhaps I should spend more time in front of the TV set. I wouldn't put much stock in those commercials anyway--they're so doctored up with half truths and outright lies. What I am looking forward to are the debates--particularly between Palin and Biden. Since Biden is certainly well versed on foreign affairs, I expect him to pounce all over her. But, as she asserts, "I can see Russia from my window." Mary Sanchez, a columnist for The Kansas City Star had an article on the op ed page of today's Sun-Sentinel. She says, "...neither jealousy nor sexism has anything to to do with the well-founded doubts about the Republican Party's choice for vice president. Anybody who cares about the future of this country had better take a long, hard look at her qualifications." Personally, I was shocked when I learned about Sen. McCain's choice for vice president. Surely, being 73, he may have lost a few marbles.

I went to the VA Medical Center today to get dental x-rays and have Dr. Davis, my dentist check out whatever teeth I have left in my mouth. I've been using prescription toothpaste, high in fluoride, that he prescribed for me, and it seems to be doing the trick of holding back cavities. The equipment the VA has now in the Dental Clinic is really hi-tech. As I sat in the chair, I was getting light massage! Like the chairs you sit in when you get a pedicure...if you ever get a pedicure. VA's x-ray machines are also of the latest construction. One of them was like a Cat Scan going all around my head, taking pictures as it rolled along. I gave my favorite hygienists there a copy of my book, and when I go back there I'll see if she enjoyed it. I know her husband was also anxiousl to read it.

Well, when Monday comes around we'll be off to Virginia on the auto train and we'll spend a couple of days visiting with Bobby & Joel, my two sons, who--thank God--are making a living so that at least I can go the the Isle Casino to spend my money or Bingo night on Sundays in our clubhouse. After our two day visit, we'll be on our way to New Jersey to see Breanna Arielle officially name. Since she is being named after Rhoda's mother, that should be worth a few bucks!

"Men must endure their going hence, even as their coming hither...(King Lear)

Yesterday Robin and I picked up Rhoda at PBI and today we took Robin to the Boca Raton airport for her flight back to Montana. Robin was here for several days and I enjoyed my time with her thoroughly. Heaven forbid that we should talk politics because we are on different wavelengths. Consequently we avoided a lot of static. Monday Robin took me to my aquatherapy and helped me to do a few things I could not do myself. Putting on the pool shoes I have is close to impossible. It takes two people--so while I was in the water, she went out and bought me pool shoes that should not be a problem. It's kind of a long walk to get to the pool, so we got a wheelchair and Robin chauffeured me to the pool door. I finished the session at 3:00 and we went from there to I95 and got to the airport early. We were first going to wait for the plane in the cell phone lot, but since we got there early we parked in the garage and Robin met Rhoda at the gate and the three of us went to dinner at TooJays. On the way out be bought eight mini black and white cookies. When we got home and wanted a snack before we went to bed, we discovered that we never took the cookies out of the store. That was a bummer, as they say. However, we did go back there today and rescued the cookies on the way to Robin's flight.

Next Monday we have to drive to Sanford (near Orlando) because we are taking the "Auto Train" to Lorton, Virginia. The train is supposed to leave at 4pm after all the cars are loaded and is scheduled to arrive in Virginia the next morning at 9:30a.m. It will most likely take an hour or two before the cars are unloaded, and when we can get into our, we'll be on our way to Herndon to say the boys--Joel and Bobby, and also Barbara and Sabrina. We'll be there for a couple of days, and then be on our way to Scotch Plains, New Jersey to attend a baby naming ceremony. Breanna Arielle is the baby's name, but it can't be official until the baby is named in the temple with a Hebrew name. I have no idea how to get to Scotch Plains, so I have two choices--I can get a "triptix" from AAA or we can access Rhoda's auto device as a little guy by the mirror guides you there, turn by turn. This baby is Rhoda's sister's granddaughter and is named after their mother whose name was Blanch. Then we have to take the auto train back home. It shouldn't be such a bad experience because instead of trying to fall asleep in a seat, I upgraded to a little room that has bunk beds and private bathroom with a shower. Should be fun. When we get home, we have invitations the next two nights for Rosh Hashana dinners. I'll miss a couple of sessions of therapy but I'll catch up, somehow. October looms on the horizon. What next? Ah! the debates!

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..." (Robert Frost)

Last night Robin and I met Magda Machado Garshol and Knut at the Gaucho Rodicio Brazilian restaurant in Lighthouse Point. The restaurant was pricey, but the service and the food were outstanding. If you drank a 1/4 inch of your water it was filled almost instantly. I didn't bring my checkbook, but Knut and Magda were kind enough to foot the bill. It must be the place to go if you have an event to celebrate, because the staff sang "Happy Birthday" at least to four people at different tables. It was good to see Knut and Magda (former student) once more--as it always is, and I hope to see her once again much sooner.

In about an hour I have to go for my second aquatherapy session with Robin to accompany me, and then we have to go pick Rhoda up at the PBI airport where she is returning from a weekend visit to her daughter and granddaughters. I judge that much of her visit was spent watching the girls play in their soccer games. Tonight we'll go out dining again, but I have no idea at this time where. Tomorrow, Robin wings her way home to Montana after her own weekend visit here. We had a very good time here enjoying each other--but she can be a loose cannon at times.

I previously had promised to stay away from things political, but I find that it's simply not possible in this election year--the most important in my lifetime. One of the things that puzzles me is that when I watched McCain and Sarah Palin campaigning and the crowds were shouting, "USA,USA" and holding up signs "Our Country First" or something to that effect, how Sen. McCain could possibly be thinking about the welfare of this country when he selected someone as unpresidential as Sarah Palin to lead us in the event of his death in office? If one watched SNL last weekend, one could hardly tell the difference between Palin and Tina Fey. In fact, in the poll SNL took after the show, asking who the audience would rather hear, Fey had a whopping lead of 40%. I wonder if a majority of those who vote for McCain believe, too, that Gov. Palin could be President of the United States. We may never know. I'm sure Sen. McCain could lead the country, but I don't like the path he says he would take. Robert Frost wrote, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one less traveled by--and that has made all the difference." I do hope the one "less traveled by" is the one that wins this election.

"For I am fresh of spirit and resolved to meet all perils very constantly." (Julius Caesar)

Thursday was a busy day for me. I had to get up sooner than usual because Rhoda had to make a 10a.m plane to New York. Managed to get her to PBI about an hour earlier. On my way home I stopped in at a bagel place for breakfast; then at home I just kept on my blog answering all the comments; mostly to Phil B. who loves the good old USA and doesn't want it to change at all. Surely he has his reasons which reason cannot understand. So, since he is my good friend--better than good--no comment. Then at 1p.m I drove to the VA Medical Center for a 2p.m appointment and when I got to the desk, the clerk told me that the appointment was at 3p.m. So, I waited around until then and finally got in to see Dr. Zayas, my shrink, and I really needed her at that point! I did give her a copy of my book before I left--after about an hour I left--fully cured.

Went to my first aquatherapy on Friday and the first thing I learned is that you get kinda wet...mostly from the bellybutton down. The bellybutton acts as sort of an icon or a web link that you press and voila-- your all wet. When I got to the pool, the therapist was waiting for me. Her name is Samantha, and she's very sweet and patient and understanding. To get into the pool, there is a chair that acts as a little elevator; you sit in it on the pool deck; then it swivels around toward the pool and lowers you slowly into the water. At first I was wearing a cotton tank top because I don't like to get into a pool without it. I have my reasons that reason wouldn't understand. But Samantha made me take it off because it was cotton and for some reason which reason couldn't understand, cotton does not react as well in the pool as it does in the washing machine. Anyway, while I was in the pool, Samantha walked me back and forth across the pool a few times. Then I held onto the deck and lifted my legs hither and thither. Finally, I got into the chair and it elevated me on to the pool deck. I got dressed quickly so that I could pick Robin up at the Boca Raton airport. Her plane landed at 4:15. We had a nice chat when we got home and then about 6p.m we went to the Kingdom Buffet, a wonderful Chinese Restaurant in Boynton Beach which both of my boys enjoy. Last night we went to Nino's, a nearby Italian place where Robin treated my sister and brother-in-law to dinner because my sister's birthday is tomorrow. She will be several years old. Tonight we are going to meet Magda and Knut at Gaucho Rodiccio, a Brazilian restaurant near Pompano Beach. Magda was a student of mine in 1968. Tomorrow is another aqua session where I'm hopeful they can teach me to walk on water. I hate getting wet. Afterwards we pick up Rhoda coming home from New York. Then maybe the bed will be made and the laundry done. (I hope that's not sexist).